Toy with remote media source

ABSTRACT

An amusement device is in wireless communication with a remote media source via an interface. The amusement device includes a receiver/transmitter for receiving electromagnetic waves indicative of media content signals from the corresponding interface. The amusement device plays media content from the remote media source in conjunction with music or other sounds in response to user input.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of sound generatingamusement devices and, more particularly, to a toy playing media contentreceived from a remote media source.

BACKGROUND

Children of all ages enjoy playing with toys that generate audio andvisual output, such as sounds, music and lights. Such toys includemusical mobiles for entertaining an infant in a crib or playpen,interactive teaching toys, such as toys for associating related symbols,words and/or letters, and other toys that produce sounds and/or music inresponse to the child's input.

Existing sound generating toys, however, have a number of drawbacks forboth children and parents or other supervising adults. Many conventionaltoys are limited to producing sounds/music of a rather low soundquality. For example, most music produced by such toys consists ofinstrumental melodies without any voice singing.

In addition, existing toys offer a limited selection of lower soundquality music. For example, some devices include a few pre-programmedsongs. Other existing devices include a cartridge-based memory, whichrequires a user to continuously purchase additional music. Typically,these music cartridges include a limited number of songs and require theuser to change the cartridges frequently.

Accordingly, a need exists for a toy that provides higher quality soundgeneration along with versatility in song selection, which overcomes theabove-referenced problems and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, the invention is directed toan amusement device having a remote media source. The amusement deviceincludes a data receiving system for wirelessly receiving media contentsignals from an associated interface. The interface is electricallycoupled to the remote media source.

According to another aspect of the invention, the invention is directedto a system. The system includes an interface electrically coupled to aremote media source and a toy. The toy includes a receiver/transmitterfor wireless communication with the interface to receive media contentfor playback.

According to another aspect of the invention, the invention is directedto a system. The system includes a remote media source and an interfaceelectrically coupled to the remote media source. The system furtherincludes a plurality of amusement devices, where the amusement deviceseach include a receiver/transmitter for wireless communication with theinterface to receive media content for playback.

According to another aspect of the invention, the invention is directedto a method of providing media content to a toy from a remote mediasource. The method includes electrically coupling an interface to theremote media source and electrically coupling a receiver to the toy. Theinterface is coupled to the receiver such that media content iswirelessly transmitted by the interface to the receiver for playbackthrough at least one speaker within the toy.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter morefully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but afew of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may beemployed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and further features of the present invention will be apparentwith reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an amusement device for use with aremote media source in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic diagram of an amusement device for usewith a remote media source in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary amusement device inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another exemplary amusement device inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another exemplary amusement device inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another exemplary amusement device inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a system including a plurality ofamusement devices in wireless communication with a remote media source.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In the detailed description that follows, corresponding components havebeen given the same reference numerals regardless of whether they areshown in different embodiments of the present invention. To illustratethe present invention in a clear and concise manner, the drawings maynot necessarily be to scale and certain features may be shown insomewhat schematic form.

With reference to FIG. 1, an amusement device 10, such as a toy or otherchild's play device, is provided. The amusement device 10 can be part ofa system in which the amusement device 10 is in wireless communicationwith a remote media source 12 via an interface 14. The remote mediasource 12 can include a home audio source, such as a home stereo orportable stereo, including an AM/FM receiver, cassette player, compactdisk (CD) player, digital audio tape player, MP3 player, or the like. Inaddition, the remote media source 12 can include a personal computer,optionally connected to the Internet, and the like. In an alternativeembodiment, the remote media source can include a video source. In oneembodiment, the remote media source 12 would not include “non-mediasources,” such as walkie talkies, child monitors or the like.

The remote media source 12 is coupled or otherwise electricallyconnected to an interface 14, such as a wireless data transmission unitor the like. The interface 14 is in electrical communication with theremote media source 12 such that it receives appropriate signalscontaining media content. The interface 14 is in wireless communicationwith a corresponding receiver/transmitter 16 within or otherwise coupledto the amusement device 10. As is described more fully below, mediacontent data received by the receiver/transmitter 16 within theamusement device 10 is processed appropriately for playback by theamusement device 10. In one embodiment, the interface 14 andreceiver/transmitter 16 communicate wirelessly via an infrared (IR)light link. Alternatively, the interface 14 can include a radiofrequency (RF) link to transmit media content data to thereceiver/transmitter 16 within or otherwise coupled to the amusementdevice 10 for playback by the amusement device 10. As is described morefully below, in one embodiment, the receiver/transmitter 16 can transmitappropriate command signals, which are generated responsive to userinput, back to the remote media source 12.

With reference now to FIG. 2 and continued reference to FIG. 1, in oneembodiment in which the remote media source 12 can be a home audiosource, the interface 14 includes an input amplifier 22. The inputamplifier 22 can receive input signals from the home audio source andamplify the input signals. The interface 14 can include a modulator 24,which receives the amplified input signal from the input amplifier 22and modulates the amplified input signal with an appropriate carriersignal. Artisans will appreciate that the amplified input signal can befrequency modulated and/or amplitude modulated with the carrier signalas appropriate. In addition, spread spectrum techniques, phase shiftkeying techniques and the like can be employed. The interface 14 caninclude a transmitter 26 (or, optionally, a transmitter/receiver) fortransmitting the amplified, modulated input signal.

In one embodiment, the transmitter 26 is an infrared (IR) transmitter,which transmits the audio input signal as an infrared electromagneticwave. Alternatively, the transmitter 26 can be a radio frequency (RF)transmitter for transmitting the audio input signal as a RFelectromagnetic wave. It is to be appreciated that other wirelesstransmission devices, such as ultrasound or infrasound transmitters, canbe employed without departing from the scope of the present invention.In addition, it is to be appreciated that other remote media sources, asare described above, can be employed with the present invention.

The amusement device 10 can include a receiver/transmitter 16 forreceiving the transmitted signals from the transmitter 26. It is to beappreciated that the transmitter 26 and receiver/transmitter 16 areselected to facilitate wireless data transmission therebetween. Forexample, if an IR transmitter is employed, the receiver/transmitter 16will be an IR receiver/transmitter. Likewise, if the transmitter 26 is aradio frequency transmitter, the corresponding receiver/transmitter 16within the amusement device 10 will be a radio frequencyreceiver/transmitter. The receiver/transmitter 16 receives theelectromagnetic waves from the transmitter 26 and generates acorresponding received media content data signal. The received mediacontent data signal can be demodulated using an appropriate demodulator28. Artisans will appreciate that the demodulator operates to separatethe data signal from the carrier signal. In one embodiment, as isdescribed more fully below, the demodulated audio signal can be mixed,using an appropriate mixer 30, with an amusement device, such as a toy,audio source 32 signal and/or an amusement device visual source 38signal generated automatically or in response to user input by theamusement device. The mixed audio signal can be amplified using anappropriate amplifier 34 and output to a speaker 36 for playback and/ora visual source signal (e.g., a light output) can be output by a lightsource 40 in rhythm or in another fashion complementary to the outputaudio signal. It is to be appreciated that appropriate digital-to-analogconversion, along with reciprocal analog-to-digital conversion, may takeplace within either or both of the interface 14 and amusement device 10as appropriate.

It is to be appreciated that the present invention allows a parent,child or other user to provide a variety of high sound quality music toan amusement device using already existing investments in music content,such as CD's, MP3's, and the like. In one embodiment, the interface 14can be connected to an output of the home audio source, for example, astandard headphone jack output, or another appropriate output, such as aMIDI output. In one embodiment, the amusement device 10 can include oneor more user input interfaces 38. Such user input interfaces caninclude, but are not limited to, buttons, switches, dials, alphanumerickeys, and the like.

The interface 14 can also include a control device or controller 40capable of receiving commands from the user input interfaces 38 via thereceiver/transmitter 16. These commands can, in turn, be relayed to thehome audio source for remote control thereof, such that media content isdelivered to the amusement device 10 in response to user input. In otherwords, the amusement device 10, based on user input, can control avariety of functions of the home audio source, including, but notlimited to, power on/off, input source (to choose among different audiocomponents), which tracks to play, start music, stop music, skip, andother useful commands normally present on remote controls or audiounits. Alternatively, a user can play games by engaging the user inputinterfaces.

In addition, the user input 38 can trigger other pre-programmedamusement device audio source 32 outputs and/or visual source 38 outputsto be mixed or played concurrently or complementary with the receivedaudio content from the remote audio source. Such amusement device audiodevice outputs can include a variety of sounds that are pleasing tochildren, including, but not limited to, bells, whistles, sirens, andmusical sounds. In addition, as is described more fully below, theamusement device 10, either in response to user input 38 orautomatically in response to signals or data patterns received from theremote audio source, can generate a plurality of light and other outputsignals via, for example, a light source 40, for the enjoyment of theuser. In addition, the amusement device can generate motion outputsignals via, for example, motors and actuators (e.g., electricallyactuated plastics), and/or visual output signals, such as visual contentdisplayed an LCD or full video.

It is to be appreciated that the present invention may be employed inconjunction with any child's amusement device without departing from thescope of the present invention. For example, with reference to FIG. 3,the amusement device may include a musical mobile 50, as illustrated,for use with a playpen or crib 52. As shown, the remote media source, inthis case, a personal audio source, such as a boombox 54, cancommunicate wirelessly with the mobile 50 in the manner described morefully above. Accordingly, rather than be limited to a single song oflower sound quality as in conventional devices, the mobile illustratedin FIG. 3 can play back a variety of higher sound quality songs, whichmay be varied and/or selected by the user as desired. For example,softer lullaby-type songs may be played during times where the infant isgoing to sleep and more upbeat songs can be played through the mobilewhen the child is awake and enjoying play time or other stimulation.Optionally, as described above, the amusement device, in thisembodiment, a mobile, may also play radio transmissions through the linkbetween the interface 14 and the receiver/transmitter 16. In oneembodiment, the mobile 50 or other amusement device can change lightingand/or motion in response to signals or data patterns received from theremote media source.

FIG. 4 illustrates another amusement device in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, theamusement device may include an upright dance bar device 60 for use andenjoyment by young or older children. In this exemplary embodiment, theamusement device includes a segmented ring 62. In one embodiment, thering 62 may spin or be spun by the user in such a manner as to speed upor otherwise slow down the tempo at which the music from the remoteaudio source is played. In addition, the segmented ring 62 may be heldor otherwise squeezed by the user to activate the device. Also, thevarious portions of the segmented ring may be used to select differentmedia output. For example, one portion of the segmented ring 62 could beused to activate play of one type of song, while another portion of thesegmented ring could be used to activate play of another type of song.Further, the amusement device may include a variety of user inputinterfaces 64 for generating sounds to be mixed with the audio from theremote audio source and/or control various play features/commands of theremote audio source. In addition, the amusement device can include alight-emitting portion 66, which emits light in response to the musicreceived from the remote audio source and/or user input via the userinput interfaces 64.

FIG. 5 illustrates an amusement device in accordance with an alternativeexemplary embodiment the present invention. In this embodiment, theamusement device is a dance floor toy 70, which can receive audiocontent for playback from a remote audio source (not shown) in themanner described more fully above. As shown, this toy 70 includes aplurality of user input buttons 74 in the corners, as well as aplurality of user input buttons and/or light emitting portions 76 aroundthe center of the device. For example, the corner button user input 74may be used to select a desired type of music or to otherwise controlfeatures of the remote audio device in the manner described more fullyabove.

FIG. 6 illustrates another amusement device in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, theamusement device is a musical ball 80, which can include optional lightemitting portions 82 as well as user input control buttons 84. Asdescribed above, the light emitting portions 82 of the ball 80 may emitlight, for example, shimmering like a disco ball in response to musicplayed from the remote audio source and/or movement of the ball by theuser. Further, the user inputs 84 may control features of the remoteaudio device, such as power, volume, song selection, and the like.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3-6, in one embodiment, musical orother media content data can be uploaded or otherwise transferred to theamusement device using techniques such as USB cable, wireless USBtransmission, and/or use of re-programmable flash media type cartridges68, 78 (see FIGS. 4 and 5, for example). In these embodiments, aplurality of digital songs (e.g., MP3 format songs) may be repeatedlydownloaded such that the user's music selection is continuously updated.For example, in an embodiment employing USB cable transmission, theamusement device can include a re-programmable memory, such as, forexample a flash memory. A source of media content, such as a personalcomputer or MP3 player can be connected to the amusement device via aUSB cable. Media content can then be transferred to and saved on there-programmable memory within the amusement device. Alternatively, are-programmable flash memory chip or cartridge (such as is illustratedat 68 and 78 in FIGS. 4 and 5) can be programmed and reprogrammed withdesired media content and then inserted and reinserted into theamusement device. In an alternative embodiment, the amusement device caninclude an appropriate media storage device to record and a player toplay back within the amusement device. This media could include formatssuch as CD, EEPROM, and FLASH memory.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a system including a plurality ofamusement devices 10 is illustrated. It is to be appreciated that asingle remote media source 12 may be employed to provide media contentto a plurality of amusement devices 10 in a manner described above. Forexample, signals from the remote media source 12 may be communicatedwirelessly to a receiver/transmitter 16 within or otherwise coupled toeach amusement device via an appropriate interface 14. As describedabove, the interface 14 can be an IR interface, an RF interface or anyother suitable interface. In this manner, a number of children can eachenjoy their own amusement device 10 (e.g., a toy) as well as mediaplayback from a single remote media source 12.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it is understood that the invention is not limitedcorrespondingly in scope, but includes all changes, modifications andequivalents.

For example, while the present invention has been described with respectto the amusement devices illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, is to be appreciatedthat the present invention is applicable to any amusement or play deviceor multiple amusement or play devices, which each includes a mediaoutput without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious thatequivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled inthe art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and theannexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functionsperformed by the above described elements (components, assemblies,devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a“means”) used to describe such elements are intended to correspond,unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specifiedfunction of the described element (i.e., that is functionallyequivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosedstructure which performs the function in the herein illustratedexemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In addition, whilea particular feature of the invention may have been described above withrespect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, suchfeature may be combined with one or more other features of the otherembodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given orparticular application.

1. An amusement device having a remote media source, said amusementdevice comprising: a data receiving system for wirelessly receivingmedia content signals from an associated interface, said interface beingelectrically coupled to the remote media source.
 2. The amusement deviceas set forth in claim 1, wherein the remote media source is a home audiosource.
 3. The amusement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein thedata receiving system includes an infrared (IR) receiver.
 4. Theamusement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data receivingsystem includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver.
 5. The amusement deviceas set forth in claim 1, wherein the interface includes: a firstamplifier which receives and amplifies input signals from the remotemedia source; a modulator which modulates the amplified input signalswith a carrier signal; and a transmitter which wirelessly transmits theamplified, modulated input signals to the data receiving system aselectromagnetic waves.
 6. The amusement device as set forth in claim 5,wherein the data receiving system includes: a receiver/transmitter forreceiving the electromagnetic waves from the transmitter and generatinga corresponding received media content signal; and a demodulator fordemodulating the received media content signal.
 7. The amusement deviceas set forth in claim 6, further comprising: an amusement device audiooutput signal generator for generating an audio output signal responsiveto a user input; a mixer for mixing the audio output signal with thereceived media content signal.
 8. The amusement device as set forth inclaim 7, further comprising: an amplifier for amplifying the mixed audiooutput and received media content signals.
 9. The amusement device asset forth in claim 8, further comprising: a speaker for generating anaudio output responsive to the signal received from at least one of (I)the mixer and (ii) the amplifier.
 10. The amusement device as set forthin claim 9, further comprising: a light output generator for generatinga light output responsive to at least one of (i) a user input and (ii)the received media content signal.
 11. The amusement device as set forthin claim 6, further comprising at least one user input interface. 12.The amusement device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the at least oneuser input interface generates a media source control signal responsiveto a user input, said media source control signal being wirelesslytransmitted from the receiver/transmitter to a controller within theinterface.
 13. The amusement device as set forth in claim 12, whereinthe media source control signal is transmitted to the remote mediasource to control at least one media source operation.
 14. The amusementdevice as set forth in claim 13, wherein the media source operationincludes at least one of (i) media source power, (ii) media source tracknumber, (iii) media source start, and (iv) media source stop.
 15. Theamusement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the amusement deviceis a toy.
 16. A system comprising: an interface coupled to a remotemedia source; and a toy, said toy including a receiver/transmitter forwireless communication with the interface to receive media content forplayback.
 17. The system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the interfaceincludes: an amplifier which receives and amplifies input signals fromthe remote media source; a modulator which modulates the amplified inputsignals; and a transmitter which transmits the amplified, modulatedinput signals to the receiver/transmitter.
 18. The system as set forthin claim 17, wherein the transmitter and receiver/transmittercommunicate wirelessly via an infrared light link.
 19. The system as setforth in claim 17, wherein the transmitter and receiver/transmittercommunicate wirelessly via a radio frequency link.
 20. The system as setforth in claim 17, wherein the toy includes at least one user inputinterface.
 21. The system as set forth in claim 20, wherein the at leastone user input interface generates a media source control signalresponsive to actuation by a user, said media source control signalbeing wirelessly transmitted from the receiver/transmitter to acontroller within the interface.
 22. The system as set forth in claim21, wherein the media source control signal is transmitted to the remotemedia source to control remote media source operation.
 23. A systemcomprising: a remote media source: an interface electrically coupled toa remote media source; and a plurality of amusement devices, saidamusement devices each including a receiver/transmitter for wirelesscommunication with the interface to receive media content for playback.24. A method of providing media content to a toy from a remote mediasource, said method comprising: electrically coupling an interface tothe remote media source; electrically coupling a receiver to the toy;coupling the interface to the receiver such that media content iswirelessly transmitted by the interface to the receiver for playbackthrough at least one speaker within the toy.
 25. A toy comprising: are-programmable memory for storing desired media content data.
 26. Thetoy as set forth in claim 25, further comprising: a speaker forgenerating an audio output corresponding to the media content datastored in the re-programmable memory.
 27. The toy as set forth in claim26, further comprising: a light output generator for generating a lightoutput responsive to at least one of (i) a user input and (ii) audiooutput.
 28. The toy as set forth in claim 25, wherein there-programmable memory is a removable flash memory cartridge.
 29. Thetoy as set forth in claim 25, further comprising: an input for receivingmedia content data to be stored in the re-programmable memory.
 30. Thetoy as set forth in claim 29, wherein the input is a USB input.
 31. Thetoy as set forth in claim 25, wherein the media content data is in MP3format.